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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)
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Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services
Have you been to a practitioner besides your family physician? Whether chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga or homeopathy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly common in the United States, and 72% of adults use some form of CAM therapies according to the US National Centers for Disease Control and US National Center for Health Statistics.
A recent cover story in The New York Times Magazine highlighted how chronic pain tends to be under treated because doctors worry about over prescribing medications, and being liable for malpractice or even criminal penalties. Many doctors fear entering the field of pain management at all. Many patients are also concerned about becoming dependant on medication or about the invasiveness and dangers of surgery and anesthesia. CAM therapies, which are able to treat pain and help manage diseases without medication or surgery, are rapidly growing services as people search out better, safer approaches.
So how effective are Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies? (Read more about Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services)
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ACUPUNCTURE AND FIBROMYALGIA
There is new hope for the millions of americans suffering from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain, stiffness and fatigue for unknown reasons. It affects between three and six percent of Americans, mainly women.
Treating the disorder using western medicine can be frustrating. This is why many are now turning to old, eastern medicine for an answer. (Read more about ACUPUNCTURE AND FIBROMYALGIA)
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The Thyroid
The thyroid gland lies in front of the neck and has two lobes connected by an isthmus. It is an endocrine organ whose responsibility is to secrete a hormone that controls the body's growth and metabolism. (Read more about The Thyroid)
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OBESITY AND RACE
Recent studies have uncovered new links between obesity and race, showing that body fat distribution varies between different races.
We’ve all been told that America’s bulging waistline is increasing our risk for serious diseases like hypertension, stroke, diabetes and heart disease. But, what you may not know is that body fat distribution varies among individuals, thus varying individual susceptibility for developing heart disease. (Read more about OBESITY AND RACE)
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OBESITY AND DIABETES RISK
Scientists have been warning that diabetes will be the next medical crisis in this country. Now – a new study may give us a better warning of who its next victims will be, showing that diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes and obesity may be linked.
For years, doctors have been weighing patients, and then determining their likelihood of developing type-2 diabetes. They did so by calculating their “body mass index”—a ratio of their weight to their height. (Read more about OBESITY AND DIABETES RISK)
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Valentine's Chocolate Heart Benefits
Recently there has been considerable focus on the health benefits of chocolate, pointing out that chocolate contains substances that can help prevent various diseases. There is a small but growing body of evidence that flavanols in chocolate might be responsible for the health benefits of chocolate on the cardiovascular system. (Read more about Valentine's Chocolate Heart Benefits)
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WHOLE GRAINS
One of the new food guide recommendations released Wednesday by the USDA says we suggests an increased intake of whole grain foods. This has those in the grain industry celebrating, and rolling out new products almost immediately.
“I don’t like the refined flours,” says Cassandra as she shops. She goes out of her way to buy whole grain breads. But even she says it’s confusing. “I can never really tell. I just make sure that it says 100% whole grain wheat.” (Read more about WHOLE GRAINS)
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WEIGHT LOSS RETAINER
Tina Quinn savors every moment playing outside with her dogs. Most days, she’s held prisoner to her car. As a salesperson she spends most of her time traveling nonstop from client to client, making it unfeasible for her to stick to any sustained weight loss program.
“It’s very hard to have a staple diet in the car, when you are traveling. Most often I just grab a McDonald’s meal,” says Tina. (Read more about WEIGHT LOSS RETAINER)
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LACK OF SLEEP AND HUNGER
“I really found that one effect of sleep deprivation was that my appetite grew. I was so hungry I wanted to eat my pillow,” says Matthew Tierney.
Matthew Tierney participated in a study conducted by the University of Chicago which put sleep deprivation and the effects of sleep deprivation on appetite to the test. (Read more about LACK OF SLEEP AND HUNGER)
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